Wire tensioner, cutter, and staple extractor for cattle fences

ABSTRACT

A device for drawing taut a fence wire during fence-erecting operation, the device including a pair of jaws between which the wire is grasped, one of the jaws being integral with a tubular body and the other comprising a jaw pivotable on the body, the pivotable jaw being urged into strong clamping position with the first jaw by a lever handle.

nited States atent [72] lnventor Luis C. Vargas Beltran Offcina de Correos, Puerto Armuelles, Chirqui, Panama [21] App1. No. 801,617

[22] Filed Feb. 24, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 16,1971

[54 I WIRE TENSIONER, CUTTER, AND STAPLE EXTRACTOR FOR CATTLE FENCES 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 140/123.6

[56] Relerenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,607,463 8/1952 Saigh, Jr. 194/10 2,677,450 5/1954 Gabrielsen et a1. 194/7 2,895,582 7/1959 Turner 194/7 3,036,684 5/1962 Lord 194/9 723,848 3/1903 Driehaus 254/28 791,807 6/1905 Mossman 140/123.6

793,090 6/1905 Payne 140/123.6 1,161,740 11/1915 Smith. 140/123.6 1,228,611 6/1917 Shults. 140/1235 1,678,551 7/1928 Bonos 140/123.6 2,248,788 7/1941 Seavey 140/123.5 2,723,103 11/1955 Glassmaker 254/28 Primary Examinvn- Lowell A. Larson ABSTRACT: A device for drawing taut a fence wire during fence-erecting operation. the device including a pair of inws between which the wire is grasped, one of the jaws being integrul with a tubular body and the other comprising, at jnw pivotuble on the body, the pivotable jaw being urged into strong clamping position with the first jaw by a lever handle.

WIRE TENSIONER, CUTTER, AND STAPLE EXTRACTOR FOR CATTLE FENCES This invention relates generally to wire fencing tools.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a wire fencing tool which combines the services of stretching a fence wire and holding it in a taut position during securement to a stake or post; and which further serves as a wire cutter and a staple puller.

Another object is to provide a wire fencing tool that is designed particularly for the erection of barbed wire fences such as are used by stockmen and upon the western ranges.

Another object is to provide a wire fencing tool having an improved grip for more positively holding a wire against slipping during stretching operation for securement to a fence post.

Other objects are to provide a wire fencing tool which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in con struction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown partly in cross section.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the jaw elements of the tool.

F IG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tool in use as a staple extractor.

FlG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool shown in wire stretching operation during erection of a wire fence.

HO. 5 is a perspective view of the wire cutter elements.

HO. 6 is a perspective view of the tool during wirecutting operation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool shown applying leverage for pulling a wire taut.

FlG. 8 is a similar view thereof shown cantered against a stake or fence post.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the tool 10 is comprised of four principal sections.

A rod ll is provided with a long nose 12 at one end and a stopper head 13 at its other end; the long nose 12 serving as a staple extractor, as shown in FIG. 3. The same rod 11 also serves as a power handle for the tool. An externally knurled collar 14 is secured to the rod 11 along an intermediate portion thereof, the collar 14 being positioned adjacent one end of a tubular body 15 within which the rod 11 is slidable, with the stopper head 13 coming into abutment with end wall 16 of the tubular body.

The tubular body 15 is integral with an angularly extending jaw l7 formed at an opposite end thereof. A pivotable jaw 18 is pivotable about a pin 19 extending through opening 20 in jaw 18 and an opening 21 at the base of jaw 17 where it enjoins the end of the tubular body.

The jaw 17 includes a treader portion 22 for improved functional grip of an object held between the jaws. The end of the jaw 17 has a guide slot 23 for guiding a fence wire fitted between the jaws. A pivotable security bar 24 is also mounted on the jaw 17 so to form a security slot therebetween and the aw.

The jaw 18 includes a guide arm 25 at its terminal end across which a held wire is placed. The jaw 18 comprises a lever which is centrally pivotable about pin 19, the opposite end of the lever being bifurcated to form parallel accurate arms 26 having teeth 27 along their convex sides for biting into any object that serves as a fulcrum when using the device as will be described herebelow. A lever handle 28 of L-shaped configuration is formed integrally near the outward end of jaw 18, in such a manner that the bend portion 29 thereof abuts against the side of the tubular body when the terminal end of the lever handle is squeezed toward the tubular body.

Wire cutter slots 31 and 32 are formed transversely across the jaw bodies 17 and 18 relatively close to the pivot pin 19 so to receive a wire 33 which is to be cut.

ln operative use, to erect a cattle fence, a person places himself before the post or skate where the wire holding nail WI" be secured, and with the right hand places the wire between the jaws, as shown in FIG. 7. The wire section which is to be stretched taut is set over the guide arm 25 of the tensioning jaw 18 and over the guide slot 23 of the tensioning jaw 17 to cross over the treader portion 22 and penetrate way down between the security slot and body of the jaw 17. Once the wire is firmly pressed between the jaws, the arms 26 are placed against the stake or post, and then the power handle is pressed toward the back of the stake. In this part of the operation, the resistance of the wire is actuated over the guide arm 25 of the jaw 18, pressed firmly against the jaw 17, and at the same time the arms 26 will press upward against the jaw 17 and jaw 18.

It is to be noted that the resistance of the same wire and the arms 26 gives the tool two different sources of pressure that join together and completing (with the hold of the wire through the entrance guide slot) a condition absolutely void of slippage. Once the wire is in the position shown in FlG. 4, and thus is held by a left hand under firm tension, a person may now proceed with his right hand to extract a staple from a pocket or a nail bag and place it on the stake as shown in FIG. 4, and with the same hand then drive the staple into the stake.

To cut a wire, as shown in FIG. 6, the tool is held in the right hand with thumb pointed toward the upper part of the tool. When the jaws are closed, the cutting slot align with each other so as to permit a wire to extend therethrough. Then by squeezing the fingers and pressing the handle 28 toward the tubular body the wire is easily cut.

To extract a staple, as shown in FIG. 3, the handle 28 is firmly held against the tubular body 15 with a right hand; the other hand then grasping the end of the extraction rod ll and placing the long nose under the staple, then pivoting the tool quickly against the stake which serves as a fulcrum pivot. the body 15 thus being used as a lever to pull the staple out of the stake 30.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

lclaim:

l. A fence wire tool comprising a longitudinal operating handle having an integral fixed jaw extending transversely in one direction from the handle, in combination with a movable jaw pivotally mounted on a pin at the end of said handle adjacent the fixed jaw whereby said movable jaw pivots about an axis transverse to the fixed jaw and the handle longitudinal axis, said jaws having mated coacting portions adapted to grip fence wire therebetween when the movable jaw is in a predetermined position including a lever projecting substan- 

1. A fence wire tool comprising a longitudinal operating handle having an integral fixed jaw extending transversely in one direction from the handle, in combination with a movable jaw pivotally mounted on a pin at the end of said handle adjacent the fixed jaw whereby said movable jaw pivots about an axis transverse to the fixed jaw and the handle longitudinal axis, said jaws having mated coacting portions adapted to grip fence wire therebetween when the movable jaw is in a predetermined position including a lever projecting substantially parallel to the handle when the movable jaw is in said position, said jaws having coacting wire cutting slots at the end of the fixed jaw adjacent the pivot pin whereby relative movement of the jaws will cut a wire lodged therebetween, further including a pair of bifurcated arms extending from the movable jaw in a direction opposite to the gripping portions, to serve as fulcrum.
 2. A tool as in claim 1 wherein the handle is tubular and includes thereon a staple extractor rod longitudinally extending therefrom. 